U.S. patent application number 14/304458 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for ankle support device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jacob Benford. Invention is credited to Jacob Benford.
Application Number | 20150018734 14/304458 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52277658 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150018734 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benford; Jacob |
January 15, 2015 |
Ankle Support Device
Abstract
An ankle bracing apparatus has a curved support plate shaped to
fit on the medial aspect of a user's lower leg above the ankle,
with a first end at the front of the user's leg and a second end at
the back, a strut extending downward having a pivotal fastener near
the lowermost end, a first strap wrapped around the user's leg, a
second strap having a width, a first end and a second end, the
second strap attached at the first end to the first end of the
curved support plate and at the second end to the second end of the
curved support plate, and lateral strut having a buckle or opening
to accommodate the second strap, and a pivotal fastener enabling
fastening of the lateral strut to the shoe or foot plate, such that
adjusting the length of the second strap shortens separation of the
lateral strut and the curved support plate.
Inventors: |
Benford; Jacob; (Aptos,
CA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Benford; Jacob |
Aptos |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52277658 |
Appl. No.: |
14/304458 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61957703 |
Jul 11, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
602/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/0127
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/16 |
International
Class: |
A61F 5/01 20060101
A61F005/01 |
Claims
1. An ankle bracing apparatus, comprising: a curved support plate
shaped to fit on the medial aspect of a user's lower leg above the
ankle, and open to the outside of the leg, with a first end of the
curved support plate at the front of the user's leg and a second
end at the back of the user's leg; a strut extending downward from
the support plate, centered on the closed side of the support
plate, having a pivotal fastener near the lowermost end enabling
fastening of the strut pivotally at the lowermost end to a shoe or
a foot plate; a first strap attached to the support plate, having a
length enabling the strap to be wrapped around the user's leg and
the curved support plate, and having a fastening mechanism enabling
the strap to secure the support plate to the user's leg; a second
strap having a width, a first end and a second end, the second
strap attached at the first end to the first end of the curved
support plate and at the second end to the second end of the curved
support plate, the strap having a length adjusting mechanism and a
release mechanism; and a lateral strut having a buckle or opening
at an upper end of a width to accommodate the width of the second
strap, and a pivotal fastener near a lower end enabling fastening
of the lateral strut to the shoe or foot plate in a manner to
prevent migration, the pivotal fastener allowing rotation
approximately at plantar/dorsiflexion fulcrum of the ankle, the
second strap passing through the buckle or opening at the upper end
of the lateral strut, such that adjusting the length of the second
strap shortens separation of the lateral strut and the curved
support plate.
2. The ankle-bracing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a foot
plate shaped to cradle a forefoot portion of the user's foot
directly below the ankle, wherein the strut portion of the support
plate is pivotally attached approximately at the
plantar/dorsiflexion fulcrum of the ankle, to a medial strut of the
foot plate on the medial portion of the foot, at the pivotal
fastener near the lowermost end of the strut portion of the curved
support plate, and the lateral malleola cup is securely attached to
an upwardly-extending portion of the foot plate on the outside of
the user's foot.
3. The ankle-bracing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a
shoe, wherein the strut portion of the support plate is pivotally
attached to a portion of the shoe on the medial aspect of the foot,
at the pivotal fastener near the lowermost end of the strut portion
of the curved support plate, and the lateral strut is securely
attached to an outside portion of the shoe on the lateral aspect of
the user's foot.
4. The ankle-bracing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inside
surface of the curved support plate is lined with a padding
material.
5. The ankle-bracing apparatus of claim 3 wherein the strut portion
is offset to the outside to accommodate lateral distance from the
side of the shoe to the edge of the support plate.
6. The ankle-bracing apparatus of claim 2 wherein the foot plate is
formed from a plastic material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Patent
Application 61/957,703, filed on Jul. 11, 2013, and the entire
disclosure of that application is incorporated herein at least by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is in the field of sports medicine and
pertains particularly to methods and apparatus for preventing
occurrence or re-injury of a lateral ankle sprain.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the State of the Art
[0005] Ankle sprains caused by sports injuries are one of the more
common types of injuries seen. Ankle sprains generally require some
type of artificial support to allow for immobilization of the ankle
joint in the direction of the sprain and enough time for lateral
ligaments of the ankle to heal. Continued inversion and supination
of the sprained joint laterally can prevent healing and cause
re-injury.
[0006] Aftermarket solutions for persons with an ankle sprain
include soft and rigid braces as well as numerous varieties of
tapes and ankle wrapping materials. Limitations exist with current
ankle support devices for example: casts and braces may be too
bulky such that the wearer must go without a shoe on the injured
foot at least for a period of time. Many ankle braces may include
various hardware components that may become damaged or lost during
use. Many available braces cannot be used with sport shoes in
active participation, and many braces do not offer sufficient
support.
[0007] Therefore, what is clearly needed is an ankle support
apparatus that is versatile and can provide lateral support without
limiting function or plantar and dorsiflexion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In an embodiment of the invention an ankle bracing apparatus
is provided, comprising a curved support plate shaped to fit on the
medial aspect of a user's lower leg above the ankle, and open to
the outside of the leg, with a first end of the curved support
plate at the front of the user's leg and a second end at the back
of the user's leg, a strut extending downward from the support
plate, centered on the closed side of the support plate, having a
pivotal fastener near the lowermost end enabling fastening of the
strut pivotally at the lowermost end to a shoe or a foot plate, a
first strap attached to the support plate, having a length enabling
the strap to be wrapped around the user's leg and the curved
support plate, and having a fastening mechanism enabling the strap
to secure the support plate to the user's leg, a second strap
having a width, a first end and a second end, the second strap
attached at the first end to the first end of the curved support
plate and at the second end to the second end of the curved support
plate, the strap having a length adjusting mechanism and a release
mechanism; and a lateral strut having a buckle or opening at an
upper end of a width to accommodate the width of the second strap,
and a pivotal fastener near a lower end enabling fastening of the
lateral strut to the shoe or foot plate in a manner to prevent
migration, the pivotal fastener allowing rotation approximately at
plantar/dorsiflexion fulcrum of the ankle, the second strap passing
through the buckle or opening at the upper end of the lateral
strut, such that adjusting the length of the second strap shortens
separation of the lateral strut and the curved support plate.
[0009] In one embodiment the ankle-bracing apparatus further
comprises a foot plate shaped to cradle a forefoot portion of the
user's foot directly below the ankle, wherein the strut portion of
the support plate is pivotally attached approximately at the
plantar/dorsiflexion fulcrum of the ankle, to a medial strut of the
foot plate on the medial portion of the foot, at the pivotal
fastener near the lowermost end of the strut portion of the curved
support plate, and the lateral malleola cup is securely attached to
an upwardly-extending portion of the foot plate on the outside of
the user's foot.
[0010] Also in one embodiment the ankle-bracing apparatus further
comprises a shoe, wherein the strut portion of the support plate is
pivotally attached to a portion of the shoe on the medial aspect of
the foot, at the pivotal fastener near the lowermost end of the
strut portion of the curved support plate, and the lateral strut is
securely attached to an outside portion of the shoe on the lateral
aspect of the user's foot.
[0011] In yet another embodiment the inside surface of the curved
support plate is lined with a padding material. n in still another
embodiment the strut portion is offset to the outside to
accommodate lateral distance from the side of the shoe to the edge
of the support plate. And in yet another embodiment the foot plate
is formed from a plastic material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support plate according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the support plate of FIG.
1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the support plate of
FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an overhead view of the support plate of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a lateral elevation view of an ankle bracing
apparatus including the support plate of FIG. 1 secured to a sports
shoe 203.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a medial elevation view of the ankle bracing
apparatus of FIG. 5 including the support plate of FIG. 1 secured
to sports shoe 203.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a medial elevation view of an ankle bracing
apparatus secured to a footplate according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a lateral elevation view of the ankle bracing
apparatus of FIG. 7 secured to the footplate of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In various embodiments described in enabling detail herein,
the inventor provides an ankle bracing apparatus. The present
invention is described using the following examples, which may
describe more than one relevant embodiment falling within the scope
of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a curved support plate,
which is a part of an ankle bracing assembly according to an
embodiment of the present invention. Support plate 100 may be
stamped from sheet metal, formed from a relatively rigid polymer
material, or may be made from plastic or carbon fiber reinforced
material. In one embodiment semi-rigid materials like rubber may be
used. Support plate 100 is shaped to provide a collar or U-shaped
feature formed or shaped in the material for the function of
locating against a lower leg of the wearer above the wearer's ankle
in a correct orientation for use. Support plate 100 in one
embodiment includes a strut 102 contiguously formed thereon or
rigidly affixed thereto by nut and bolt or other fastening
mechanisms or processes.
[0022] Support plate 100 in one embodiment includes two anchor
slots 101 for connecting a leg strap (not illustrated here for
clarity). The leg strap, described in more detail below, may be
attached to the support plate in a variety of different ways. The
U-shaped feature encompasses the user's lower leg not far above the
ankle. In proper orientation on the user's leg, the back wall or
surface of the collar faces inward against the user's medial part
of the lower leg. In this configuration strut 102 extends downward
and over the medial side of a shoe or other integrated footwear.
Strut 102 includes at least one through opening 103. Through
opening 103 may be attached to a Medial strut (not illustrated)
when installing the support plate to an article of footwear, which
is described in more detail below, or may be attached to a medial
strut from a footplate.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the support plate of FIG.
1. Support plate 100 is illustrated in side view with an arrow
pointing into the open side of the collar. In this embodiment strut
102 has a shoulder 104 of a radius that is sufficient to clear the
edge of the footwear the device with which the ankle bracing
apparatus may be integrated. The bottom portion of the strut fits
roughly over the inside (arch side) of the user's footwear in this
example (footwear not illustrated here for clarity). Shoulder 104
may be molded into the support plate or formed therein by material
bending processes.
[0024] The actual shape of the leg-collar feature may vary widely
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In
one embodiment a semi-annular collar has multiple flat sections
aggregating to form the collar. In another embodiment a three-sided
or U-shaped profile may be used. In still another embodiment a half
circle is used. Support plate 100 prevents the ankle from re-injury
by providing an anchor for straps to support against inverting or
supinating the ankle in the direction of the outside lateral edge
of the foot, as is described in more detail below.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the support plate of
FIG. 1. Support plate 100 may be coated on the inside surfaces that
interface with the user's leg. The coating may be a
moisture-absorbing soft material or rubber foam or like materials
to provide comfort when wearing the device and when walking with
the device. Such a coating might be sprayed or glued onto the
inside surface of the leg collaring feature. The rest of the inside
surface of the support plate may be left bare or equally coated. In
one embodiment the user may wear a flexible material collar over
the leg and then insert the support plate onto the leg over the
material collar.
[0026] FIG. 4 is an overhead view of the ankle support plate of
FIG. 1. In this overhead view the offset amount of strut 102 from
the back surface of ankle support plate 100 is visible. The offset
amount simply provides room for the user to wear a shoe like a
running shoe and have strut 102 secured to the medial aspect of the
shoe. In one embodiment support plate 100 is semi-rigid and
malleable to be manually shaped to fit the inside of a wearer's
leg. In one embodiment the support plate is somewhat resilient and
can be flexed out ward to fit over and grip the inside of the
wearer's leg. In still another embodiment the leg-collar portion of
the ankle support plate is adjustable to increase or decrease the
radius of the collar.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a lateral elevation view of an ankle bracing
apparatus 200 including the ankle support plate 100 of FIG. 1
secured to a sports shoe 203, and including other elements. Support
plate 100 may be secured to an article of footwear, in this
example, shoe 203. Shoe 203 has a lateral strut 207 secured to the
outside lateral surface of the shoe in line with the lateral
malleola. Lateral strut 207 may be stamped or formed from sheet
metal in one embodiment. In another embodiment, lateral strut 207
is molded using a rigid polymer, or may be fashioned from a plastic
or a carbon-fiber material.
[0028] Lateral strut 207 includes at least one through opening for
accepting a fastener 208 to secure lateral strut 207 to shoe 203.
The lateral strut in different embodiments may be built into the
shoe, or connected in some fashion proximally to prevent migration.
Lateral strut 207 may also be manufactured from a heat weld
material that may be heat welded to the rubberized heel of running
shoe 203. Lateral strut 207 may also be glued to the outside
surface of running shoe 203 without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Lateral strut 207 retains or is
connected to a strap buckle 206.
[0029] In one embodiment, a portion of lateral strut 207 may be
threaded through one side of the strap buckle and may be folded or
urged over onto itself and fastened using a fastener 208 retaining
the strap buckle for use in tensioning the ankle support device.
The hinge for the lateral strut and strap loop is approximately at
plantar/dorsiflexion fulcrum of the ankle. In this embodiment the
rotatably attached fastener is the lower fastener connecting the
lateral strut to shoe 203. The rotatable attachment enables plantar
and dorsi flexing of the ankle while walking or running. In another
embodiment the upper fastener may be rotatably attached to a strap
buckle such as strap buckle 206 allowing for plantar and
dorsiflexion of the ankle.
[0030] Fastener 208 may be a rivet, a screw, a snap or another type
of fastening mechanism without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention. Fastener 208 may serve as a freely
rotatable fastener allowing for plantar and dorsiflexion of the
ankle while walking or running as described above. It is noted
herein that there are two fasteners 208 on lateral strut 207 in
this example, the lower one for fastening the lateral strut to shoe
203 and the upper one for fastening the strut to the strap buckle.
It is noted herein that fasteners share the same element number and
may be the same type of fasteners.
[0031] Support plate 100 is secured to the medial surface of the
shoe via a medial strut to which strut 102 of support plate 100
(not visible in this view) is fastened. Support plate 100 is
depicted in correct orientation for integration with running shoe
203. That is to say the open collar portion of the support plate
interfaces with the medial side of the wearer's leg (wearer's leg
not illustrated in this example for clarity). A tensioning strap
204 is anchored on opposite sides of the collar of support plate
100 and threaded through strap buckle 206. Tensioning strap 204 may
be connected and adjusted for length using a strap connector and
length adjustment mechanism 205. Tension on strap 204 can be
adjusted that will change the distance between plate 100 and
lateral strut 207.
[0032] Strap 204 may be fabricated or cut from a heavy fabric. In
one embodiment strap 204 is fabricated from a polymer material that
is not elastic. Strap 204 is anchored at both ends of the collar
portion of support plate 100 using strap anchors 209 (one on each
side). Strap 204 is threaded through strap buckle 206. Support
plate 100 is also depicted with a leg strap 201. Strap 201 may be
extended to wrap about the leg of the wearer and be adjusted for
fit using a length adjustment mechanism 205. Strap 201 secures the
support plate to the wearer's leg. Mechanism 205 may also serve to
connect strap 204 together from two separate lengths of strap.
[0033] Strut 102 of ankle support plate 100 is connected on the
medial side of shoe 203 using a medial strut 301 (see FIG. 6)
mounted to the running shoe. Therefore, with the medial aspect of
shoe 203 secured to the support plate, the wearer may connect
straps 204 to strap buckle 206 and adjust the strap lengths using
mechanism 205, which may also be used to tighten strap 204
increasing tension in the direction opposite the medial side of
running shoe 203 to prevent rolling of the ankle. Fastener 208 and
a similar fastener for the strut on the other side of shoe 203 may
be rotatably attached to the connector plate to allow plantar and
dorsiflexion flexing of the ankle while walking.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a medial elevation view of support apparatus 200
of FIG. 5 including support plate 100 of FIG. 1 secured to shoe
203. Strut 102 of support plate 100 is fastened to a medial strut
301 using a fastener 208. Fastener 208 may be a screw, rivet, or
retaining pin. Strut 102 may be rotatably attached to connector
plate 301 to enable plantar and dorsiflexion ankle flex while
walking.
[0035] Medial strut 301 may be stamped or formed from sheet metal
in one embodiment. In another embodiment, medial strut 301 is
molded using a rigid polymer or plastic or carbon fiber. Medial
strut 301 includes at least one through opening for accepting a
fastener 208 to secure medial strut 301 to shoe 203. Medial strut
301 may also be manufactured from a heat weld material that may be
heat welded to the rubberized heel of shoe 203. Medial strut 301
may also be glued to the outside surface of running shoe 203
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. In this view, ankle support plate 100 is facing away
from the viewer with respect to the open collar portion of the
plate. The support plate seats against the inside of or the medial
side of the wearer's leg. Medial strut 301 in one embodiment is
fashioned to bear at the lower end on the sole of shoe 203.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a medial elevation view of an ankle support
apparatus 400 secured to a footplate according to an embodiment of
the present invention, viewed in one direction. FIG. 8 is a lateral
elevation view of ankle support apparatus 400 of FIG. 7 viewed in
the opposite direction. Referring now to FIG. 7, apparatus 400
functions by the same principle as the apparatus described in FIGS.
1 through 6. Apparatus 400 includes an ankle support plate 401
similar to plate 100 accept that it is a straighter strut with
little or no shoulder for offsetting the strut of the plate to fit
the outside of a running shoe. In this embodiment apparatus 400 may
be used while not wearing a shoe or the wearer may put on a shoe
over the apparatus.
[0037] Ankle support plate 401 includes a leg-collar portion and
strut portion with a through opening for accepting a fastener 404.
Ankle support plate 401 may be formed from or stamped from sheet
metal or made from a substantially rigid polymer material, plastic
or carbon fiber. In one embodiment semi-rigid materials like rubber
may be used. Ankle support plate 401 is shaped to provide a collar
or U-shaped feature formed or shaped in the material for the
function of locating against the leg of the wearer in a correct
orientation for use.
[0038] Support plate 401 includes two anchor slots (not visible)
for connecting a leg strap 406, just as described above for the
embodiments of FIGS. 1-6. The U-shaped feature encompasses the
user's lower leg not far above the ankle. In proper orientation on
a user's leg, the back wall or surface of the collar faces inward
against the user's medial part of the lower leg. In this
configuration, the strut portion extends downward to and is
rotatably connected to a footplate 402 using a fastener 404. In
this embodiment, footplate 402 is provided to complete the
tensioning circuit, and takes the place of the shoe in the
embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6. Footplate
402 may be fabricated from sheet metal, rubber polymer or any other
material that is rigid or semi-rigid.
[0039] Footplate 402 has a medial strut extending upward from the
arch of the wearer's foot to provide a connecting location in place
of the medial strut off the shoe base as was described previously,
hinged approximately at the medial plantar/dorsiflexion fulcrum of
the ankle. Referring to FIG. 8, footplate 402 includes a strap
anchor 504 for anchoring a foot strap 403 to the lateral side of
the footplate. Referring back to FIG. 7, footplate 401 includes a
strap slot on the medial side to enable strapping the front part of
the wearer's foot down to the footplate. Footplate 402 may be
shaped to generally conform to the shape of the wearer's foot and
may be inserted into the bottom heel portion of a shoe similar to
running shoe 203 or any other similar footwear appropriate for
normal walking posture. In this respect, footplate 402 may have a
relatively thin wall thickness.
[0040] Support plate 401 includes strap anchor 405 on opposite
sides for securing tensioning straps to the support plate.
Referring now to FIG. 8, tensioning straps 407 are connected to a
strap buckle 503 on a strap retaining mechanism 502. Strap
retaining mechanism 502 includes two buckles 503. Strap retaining
mechanism 502 is mounted to a lateral malleola cup 501 to protect
the user's ankle from the discomfort of interface with the buckle
hardware. Lateral malleola cup 501 may be manufactured of a
semi-rigid or rigid polymer, rubber, or other resilient materials.
Lateral malleola cup 501 with strap retaining mechanism 502 has a
thin profile to allow for insertion into footwear such as a running
shoe without adding discomfort to the wearer.
[0041] Apparatus 400 also includes a connector strap 408 anchored
at both ends to the underside of footplate 402 (anchor point not
visible). Connector strap is threaded through a lower buckle on
strap retaining mechanism 502. Referring now back to FIG. 7, ankle
support plate 401 may include strap slots on opposing sides or the
collar portion of the support plate for facilitating a leg strap
406 (slots covered by wrap). Leg strap 406 may be cut from a high
grade strong but durable fabric. Fasteners 409 may be used to
anchor leg strap 406 to the rear wall of ankle support plate
401.
[0042] Referring back to FIG. 7, fastener connection 404 provides a
rotatable connection between footplate 402 and ankle support plate
401. The rotatable connecting point (404) enables plantar and
dorsiflexion flex of the foot while walking. Referring now to FIG.
8, a user may apply tension to apparatus 400 by adjusting length of
on straps 407, thus tightening or tensioning the apparatus to
provide rigid ankle supports for the wearer. Once assembled on a
user's foot, the user may put on a sock and a shoe. Referring now
back to FIG. 7, it is noted that the inside of the leg-collar
portion of ankle plate 401 may be lined or coated with a material
designed to provide comfort and absorb moisture.
[0043] It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the
ankle support system of the invention in various embodiments may be
provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It
will also be apparent to the skilled artisan that the embodiments
described above are specific examples of a single broader invention
that may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions
taught. There may be many alterations made in the descriptions
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0044] It will also be apparent to the skilled person that the
arrangement of elements and functionality for the invention is
described in different embodiments in which each is exemplary of an
implementation of the invention. These exemplary descriptions do
not preclude other implementations and use cases not described in
detail. The elements and functions may vary, as there are a variety
of ways the hardware may be implemented and in which the software
may be provided within the scope of the invention. The invention is
limited only by the breadth of the claims below.
* * * * *